World Waternet and SWM renew partnership for safe drinking water in Suriname
25 June 2025Paramaribo/Amsterdam, 24 June 2024 – World Waternet and the Suriname Water Company (SWM) have officially renewed their partnership. On Monday, 24 June 2024, both parties signed a Memorandum of Understanding to extend their successful collaboration for a further two years. The agreement focuses on expanding and future-proofing the drinking water supply in Suriname.
Humphrey Schillevoort, Alice Fermont, Kees van der Lugt, Rob van Doorn, Clifton Lienga, Frodo van Oostveen, Yvonne Jacobs, Cynthia Roose, Rudi Schillevoort.
Shared roots, shared future
SWM and World Waternet (WWn) share a unique bond. Both organisations have their roots in Amsterdam, where SWM was established in 1930. Since 2012, the two have worked closely together within a Water Operators’ Partnership. Their focus: strengthening Suriname’s water sector, with capacity building as a solid foundation.
The partnership includes the commissioning of new drinking water facilities (such as La Liberté in 2024), improved asset management, development of the supply plan, and the introduction of project-based working within SWM’s operations.
A strategy for water security
The renewed partnership aligns with SWM’s strategic plan for 2025–2035. This plan addresses urgent challenges such as population growth, climate change, and the impact of large-scale oil and gas developments. SWM aims to increase production capacity, expand distribution networks to underserved areas, and modernise ageing infrastructure, including the replacement of asbestos pipelines.
“SWM faces a dual task: to innovate and to maintain,” says SWM Director Clifton Lienga. “This calls for smart collaboration, knowledge sharing, and sustainable investment.”
World Waternet as a connecting force
World Waternet contributes by offering hands-on support to strengthen SWM’s operational capacity. This includes setting up a flexible, customer-oriented team focused on water connections and the distribution network, as well as developing a supply plan to serve as a basis for new investments.
In this first phase, SWM is laying the groundwork for the future and working to attract external financing. World Waternet supports SWM in tapping into new investment networks to enable projects such as new water connections and the strengthening of ICT infrastructure for the 2025–2026 period.
More than a partnership – a friendship
“This renewal feels like a logical and valuable next step,” says Kees van der Lugt, Partnership Director at World Waternet. We share not only technical expertise, but also a deep sense of connection and mutual respect. Together, we are building – at a crucial moment for SWM – a robust and climate-resilient water supply system in Suriname. That is the essence of our collaboration: making an impact today, with a view to tomorrow.”